Deja vu for two former LI state senators

Daily Point

Craig Johnson to succeed Michael Balboni as head of state nursing homes association

In a full-circle moment, former State Sen. Craig Johnson is expected to succeed former State Sen. Michael Balboni in heading up the Greater New York Health Care Facilities Association, The Point has learned.

Balboni is leaving his executive director position after taking on the presidency of Adelphi University earlier this year.

Those with long memories will recall that nearly two decades ago, Johnson, a Democrat, succeeded Balboni, a Republican, in the State Senate, after Balboni resigned to join the administration of the newly elected Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Balboni became head of homeland security and public safety, and Johnson won a special election for the vacant SD7 seat in February 2007.

The two have remained friends; Johnson even said he sees Balboni as a bit of a big brother. Balboni recommended Johnson to fill the executive director spot for the association, which represents nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

"He's somebody who understands the Albany landscape very well, but also understands the healthcare landscape, so I think he's going to be successful in this situation," Balboni said of Johnson.

Johnson, who will maintain his chief executive role with Long Point Advisors, the lobbying firm he founded, said he's still finalizing his arrangement with the Greater New York Health Care Facilities Association, but expects to take on the job as of Sept. 1.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," Johnson said. "It's once again big shoes to fill."

And Johnson said he hopes to hold the position for longer than his State Senate gig lasted. Johnson lost reelection to Republican State Sen. Jack Martins in 2010, after he supported the imposition of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's payroll tax.

Balboni has led the association for 17 years, lobbying for nursing homes and other facilities, negotiating labor contracts and serving as the trustee for the powerful 1199 union's pension and benefits programs. Among his efforts, Balboni said, was trying to repair the rifts between employees and facility owners.

"It used to be where the union and management were at each other's throats," Balboni said, noting that in the past, people would have private investigators follow negotiators during contract fights. "Now, we've formed the best relationship with the union, and that allows us to work through problems for the benefit of both the unions and the owners."

Balboni noted that as a Democrat, Johnson might have an easier time leading the association and working in Albany.

But for Johnson, the message is just as important as the messenger.

"Do I think because I have a D next to my name, it's helpful? Sure, but I don't believe for a moment if somebody says yes to me, it's because of my party affiliation," Johnson said.

Johnson is coming into the healthcare lobbying position at a time when nursing homes are suffering from funding and staffing difficulties. Among the issues he said he hopes to examine once he starts the work: the impact of federal immigration crackdowns on healthcare staffers, especially for Haitians who held Temporary Protective Status.

If Johnson continues to follow Balboni's footsteps, both men joked that Johnson's next job is clear.

"I'm happy to give him my resume for Adelphi so when he retires from there, I can succeed him there, too," Johnson said with a laugh.

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

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